Dispensing means



June 28 1949. A. L. LAMBERT ETAL DISPENS ING MEANS 9 sheets-sheet 1Filed July l1, 1944 A. L. LAMBERT ETAL DISPENSING MEANS June` 28, 1949.v

Filed .my 11, 1944- 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 28, 1949.

AJ., LAMBERT ETAL DISPENSING MEANS Filed July 11. 1944 9 She'ets-Sheet 3IA. L. LAMBERT' E1' m. 2,474,744

June 2s, 1949.

msrEnsINe MEANS 9 sheets-sheet 4 med .my 11, 1944 fusi/Pr z. fikse/w;

Junev 28, 1949. A. 1 :..AMBrsR-i ETAI. 2,474,144

DISPENSING MEANS Filed July 11, 1944 9 sheets-sheet 5 June 28, 1949. lA, `L. LAMBERT ET AL DISPENSI'NG MEANS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 11,i944 June 28, 1949.

A. l.. LAMBERT ETAL DISPENSING MEANS 9 ISheets-Sheet '7 Filed July 11,1944 icooooooooooo June 28., 1949.

Filed VJuly 1l, 1944 A. lr-. LAMBERT ETAL 2,474,744

DISPENSING MEANS esheeis-sheets ma mnm June 28 1949 y A. L..| AMBERTETAL Y 2,474,744

4 DIsrEnsnm MEAN'IS Filed July 11. 1944 4 9 sheets-snaai 9 @all btowm 3drawer until the packages from that stack will have all been dispensed.

In the drawings, the invention is shown as embodied in a frozen foodcabinet generally identified by the reference numeral I Il, whichcabinet is adapted to contain a plurality of frozen food packages in theform to be sold to a customer.

The cabinet may be generally in the shape of a hollow rectangular box ofmetal or the like and is preferably provided on its inner walls with arelatively thick layer of insulation material II. The cabinet isprovided with one or more rectangular drawer openings I2 in its frontwall I3. The top or cover I4 of the cabinet is removable or hinged.

Removably supported within the upper part of the cabinet I are aplurality of frame units I5, one of which is illustrated in perspectivein Figure 2, there being one of such units for each drawer opening. Thelower interior portion of the cabinet I9 is adapted to house arefrigeration unit (not shown) for maintaining the interior of the Wholecabinet at a suitable temperature.

Each of the frame units I5 may be constructed of a plurality of angle,channel and strip members or the like which are preferably of aluminumor some light metal and which are joined together lby welding, brazing,riveting or other suitable means.

As shown in Figure 2, the frame units I5 form a rectangular skeletonhaving front spaced upright-s I6 and I1 and rear spaced uprights I8 andI9. These uprights I6, I1, I8 and I9 are connected at their upper endsby channel members and 2|, respectively, and by end members 22 and 23.Crossed bracing strips 24 and 25 provide additional rigidity.

At their bottom ends the uprights are secured kto the upper portion ofmembers 26 and 21 and to front and rear members 28, 28. Each of themembers 26 and 21 is preferably of sheet metal stamped to provide thechannels 29 and 39 disposed in opposite directions to each other.

Two upright channel members 3| and 32 are secured to the channel members20 and 2I respectively, at their upper ends and at their lower ends tothe upper portion of the members 26 and 21. These channel members 3| and32 are braced to the front uprights I6 and I1 by the braces 33 and 34.

The space between the channels comprises a drawer space with the frontof such space disposed to communicate with one of the drawer openings I2in the cabinet when the frame unit ,I5 is disposed within the cabinet.These channels 39 comprise guide track members for a drawer, as will bepresently described.

The upper surfaces of the channels 30 are each provided with trackmembers 35 and 36 of U- section disposed with their openings facing eachother and which extend forwardly from the front end of the unit for ashort distance. At the rear .the track members are curved upwardly so4as to be parallel with the rear uprights I8 and I9. A cross brace 31supports the track members 35,

y39 with respect to each -other and a brace strip 38 supports them withrespect to the uprights vI8 and I6 and the channel member 3| of. theframe unit,

It will be understood that each of these frame units is adapted tosupport two stacks of packages therein, the space between the frontstack and the rear stack being separated by the two channel uprights 3|and 32.

The manner in which each frame unit may be supported within the cabinetis shown, for example, in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11. The inner walls ofthe cabinet are provided with angle strips 39 providing ledges on whichthe members 26 and 21 of the frame unit rest when the frame unit isinserted in the cabinet from above. The strips 39 may :be welded orotherwise secured to the inner walls of the cabinet.

With reference to Figures 1, 3, 8 and 9, the drawer 42 is generallyrectangular and has a bottom 43, side walls 44 and 45, and a rear endmember 46. At its front, the drawer proper is connected vto arectangular box-shaped structure or plug 41, substantially the size ofthe drawer opening I2 in the front insulated wall I3 of the cabinet I0.

The side walls 44 and 45 have laterally extending lange members 48 and49 (Figure 8). The side walls 44 and 45 are also formed with arcuatecut-outs 5I and 52 (Figure 1) to facilitate removal of a package whenthe drawer is pulled fully out.

The rear end member 46 of the drawer (see Figures 4 and 9 in particular)has a vertical portion 53 extending substantially half the height of thedrawer, a rearwardly and upwardly sloping portion 54 and nally, ahorizontal portion 55. The sloping portion 54 has angle members 56, 51extending downwardly from its side edges. These angle members 56, 51support the axles 58 for the rollers 59 and 69 (Figure 8) which areadapted to ride on the ledges 50 formed by the lower portions of thechannel 30 when the drawer is moved inwardly and outwardly.

The rear horizontal portion 55 of the drawer 42 connects with a tray 6|which is shown in perspective in Figure 4. The tray 6| is relativelyflexible in one direction and may be comprised of a series of platemembers such as 62 and 63. The plate members 62 are provided withnotches 64 to receive the ends of the plates 63. Both plates E2 and 63have their opposite edges curled to receive the metal rods 65 whichconsequently hold the plates together.

The ends of the rods 65 extend laterally beyond the tray proper andthese ends are adapted to be disposed in the track members 35, 36 (seeFigures 2, 9, 10 and 11).

When the drawer is fully inserted, the tray 6I (guided in the upwardlyextending portions of the track members 35 and 36) is positionedparallel to the rear Wall 66 of the cabinet. As the drawer is pulledoutwardly the tray (riding in the track members) assumes a horizontalposition so that when the drawer is drawn to open position, the traysupports the two stacks of packages disposed in the frame unit I5 aswill be presently described.

The bottom 43 of the drawer is formed of two strips 43' and 43"separated to provide a longitudinal slot down the middle. The facingedges of these strips are beaded as at 4l (see Figure 8) which preventspackages from resting directly on the bottom and causes them to slideeasily relatively to the drawer.

The strips 43 and 43 of the bottom are also provided with transverseridge members 61 which prevent a package in the drawer from movingforwardly too far.

Intermediate the bottom 43 of the drawer proper and on the underside isa plate 94 provided with a transverse opening 68 (Figure 3) aligned withthe slot in the drawer bottom. A flap member 69 (Figures 3, 8 and 9) ispivoted on rod 19 supported between plate 94 and bottom Maigrir ortheidrawer. Normauy `the partida rl' `or the nap-extends upwa'rdlylintothe drawer, since the lower portion'12o` the'ap is-larger andheavier; The plate 94 has a stop member `lf3` (Figure 9)securedadjacentctheopening 68". Thepurpose of the 4nap 6&3v and oith'e-`stop 'I3 will be later explained.

The drawer proper is connectedto the rectanguiar boXelik-e structure Win the manner shown bestiniliigures and. Thesidewallstld and 45 ofJtheldrawer are-bent inwardly and are joined4 to the rear wall of thebox-like structure 41 by means of the bolts Mi The bottom t3 of thedrawer at its forward end" is flanged downwardly as at ltr ('seeFigured)` and* is likewise secured to'therear wall of the'boxlike structure 41by meansof i the `bolts 'IE'.

`Thedrawer maybe provided with the latching mechanism shown, for,exampley in Figures 5, 6

and 7l. The front end the box-like structure 41T a plate 'l1'securedthereto, the plate being formed at its periphery as a channel 18.A* rubber gasket' (i5A is disposed in this channel and is adapted tobear against the front wall I3 of the cabinet lil when thedrawer isclosed, thus completely seal-ing the refrigerated area inside of thecabinet.

Pivoted to the plate 'll-I asiat I9 (see Figures 3, Gf and 7) is thehandle 8d of sheet metal or the like, which is formed with agraspingledge BI. Securedto-the innersurface ofthe handle 8U are two rodassemblies 82* and 83 which pass rearwardly through openings `in thebox-like structure ali-dat" their rear ends are pivoted as'at B4 and 85toilatch members 86 and* 8l, respectively. The f latch members arepivotally mounted on lugs 88 secured tothe rear surfaceofy the box-likestructure M1 The latch members are each provided with inwardly extendingprojections te,4 9i). A coil spring 9| is disposed between theprojections and urges the latch members outwardly.

The latch members, S'I are each provided with a hook 92,` adapted, whenthe drawer is closed; toengage the catch members 93 secured to the innersuriacesof thel front `wall I3 of the cabinet at the side edgesof thedrawer opening I2 and?y extending into said opening as shown in Figure5. p

When the handle 8D' is pivoted upwardly, the rod assemblies 32 and`83-willbe'drawnforwardly. This movement in turn causes the latchmembers 85s" and 8l to pivot inwardly against the action ofthe coilspring until the hooks 92 become disengaged from the catch members 93.Continuedlpul-l on the drawer handle Bllwill draw the drawer outwardly.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that the side walls"of` the drawer opening inthec'ahinet are-provided withrol'lers 96 whichextendintoftheopening andon which themembers' IIS and its of' the drawerrides when the dawerfis moved toopenland closed position.

When the drawerf is returned to closed posi'- tion it will be apparentthat the latch members 861fand"8lwil1`m`ove inwardly (against the actionof the spring) until they strike the catches 93 when the hooks 921drop-over the catchesto hold the drawer in closed position.

The box-like structure 4l disposed in front of the"dtawer proper is nowdescribedas seen in Figures 5" ar-1`d`6. It is formedV 01` the frontplate TI, al rear-wall 91, top' andibottom walls 98 and-9ifres'pecti-vely,`and side walls |00 andIOI, all of whicli'may be oilstamped sheet metal. To prer` venti sweating the boXLlilre` structure 41is 6, provided with the suiatibnmCkS* |0122 N3 which the stamped membersareV mounted'. The insulationv blocks may be Bakelite or some similarmaterial.

Also provided within the structure 41 are the tubular members fli4l,N35"7 through which the rod assemblies `8-2` and 813 pass;

The novel manner in' whichn the structure describeddispen'se's packageswill now be described.

\ Forr purposes of explaining the operation, the packages are indicatedin thedrawings by successive letters ofthel alphabe'tin the orderinwhich the" packages areL tou be dispensed.

'Upon insertion of the',v filled frame unit I5 the package A (seeIFigu-reg) will'V fall into the front portion of" the drawer, and thepackage Bl into the rear portion of the drawer;

When the drawer isi withdrawn for the sale (ifi al `package frornytheposition as shown in Figure 9 andthe frcntpackage is in` the openingi'nfl thefront wall; thepackage Bin the rear portion of the drawerwill*support the front stack of packages I, J", K, L,`1V and N, and thetray 6I `(guided by the track members 35, 36) becomes disposed so as tosupport the rear stack' of packages C, D, E, F, GV andI-l". Iil thedrawer is drawn forwardly even a greater `distance thefront stack ofpackages will also bei supported partially by the tray til. Movementofthe"traybeneath`the forward stack is facilitated by sloping portion 54ofthe rear wallof' theV drawer which has a camlike action on thepackages in the front stack as the drawer moves to* its fully openposition.

llfhenI the package A iswithdrawn (Figure 10) and the` drawer is againreturned to its closed position, the package B'f in; the rear portion ofthe drawer will, because of the weight of the pafokage's'of the'front1stackl thereon, remain relatively stationary, the drawer slidingtherebeneath (see Figure 1*1') `so-that when the drawer is fully closedthe package B' will be disposed in the frontportion of-A the drawer.During the movement of the drawer to closed position, tray @i holds theweight of the front stack ofi of package E (Fig. 1:0)4 until trayIiIlmoves clear oi the front stack. Thereafter, asy the drawer movesrearwardly, ridge members 61T push package B rearwardly to thelposi'tionof package A in Fig. V9. Als `the trayV @"I'a'lsomoves rearwardly in thetracks, package Cv from theA rear stack finally drops into the rearportion ofthe drawer.

It will" be noted', that as the drawer is successively withdrawn assal-es'of packages are made, the packages from the rear stack will bedise penseel rst until that stack is depleted. When this occursgthepackagefI will drop` into the rear portion of the drawer, afterthedrawer is opened andv the last package from the rear stack is removedand thedrawer is) then returned to closed position, the weightof thefront stack on package Iwill permit the drawer to slide therebeneath sothat package` I' becomes disposed in the front portion of the drawer. y

VAfter package I isl withdrawn for sale and the drawer is moved'toclosed position, the package J will rst drop into the rear portion ofthedrawer but as the weight of the' front' stack bears on its uppersurface, package J will remain relatively stationary as the drawerlslidesv therebeneath so that package J will" be inv the iront portion ofthe' drawer when the closing is completed.

When the drawer is again drawn open for the `nekt, sale, pack'tge4 Jremains" in th'ef front-portion of,` the drawer by reasonoffthe.i'laplSB., the upper portion' I l1 of which assumes' a verticalpositionas the lower portion 12 engages the stop 13. If it .were not for the ap69, the weight of the front stack would cause the drawer to sliderelatively to package J.

When package J is in the front portion of the drawer, package K drops inthe rear portion of the drawer. After package J is removed and as thedrawer is again closed, package K will remain relatively stationary asthe drawer slides therebeneath so that package K ends up in the frontportion of the drawer.

This action successively occurs each time the drawer is opened and apackage withdrawn until the front stack is depleted.

To replenish the stacks, packages may be inserted into the frame unitfrom above through the top of the cabinet.

A* modied form of the invention is illustrated in Figures l2 to 16,inclusive. In this arrangement a cabinet 200 having insulated walls isprovided with cooling tubes 201 disposed adjacent to the inner surfacesof said walls.

The upper portion of the cabinet is provided with means for stackingpackaged frozen food packages. This means is comprised of one or morebox-like compartments of aluminum or the like and includes a front wall202, a back wall 203, side walls 201i, and intermediate partitions InFigure 13 the partitions 205 are shown ,as dividing each compartmentinto front and back portions, each of which is adapted to house a stackof packaged goods. These aluminum walls are connected by heat conductingmetal strips (not shown) to the cooling tubes 201 to be cooled thereby.The strips maybe welded to the walls and to the cooling tubes. Eachwall, in eiect, comprises a cold plate due to the fact that all of thewalls are connected by heat conducting metal to the cooling tubes 201.

The upper ends of the compartments are open and the compartments maythus be refilled with a supply of packages by opening the hinged top 221of the cabinet (Fig. l2).

The compartments are also open at the bottom so that packages therefrommay drop into the .drawers 20S disposed directly therebeneath. Thevdrawers are supported by the upper surface of '215 having a stem 215(see Fig. 14) and a button member 211. A coil spring 218 surrounds thestem 215 and urges the handle 215 to the position shown by pressingagainst a member 219 on the button member 211 and the inner surface ofthe front wall 213.

' Each drawer 218 is provided with a pair of ,VL-shaped clamping members210 which are supported at the corners of the Ls for pivotal movementabout the front ends of the side walls of the drawer as at 22s, 221,respectively. One end of each clamping member 219 normally engages thefront surface of the button member 21'1. The other end of each clampingmember 2110 is provided with an inwardly bent portion 222.

lSuch bent portions A222 are adapted to project inwardly through cutoutsin the side Walls of the drawer and between the two packages when thedrawer is filled.

The operation of this embodiment should now be quite apparent. When thedrawer handle 215 is rst drawn forwardly to open the drawer, the pullexerted by the operator on the button member 211 will cause the clampingmembers 219 to pivot slightly and grip the front package A. Continuedpull on the handle will withdraw the drawer so that the first package Amaybe withdrawn (see Fig. 13). Package B then is at the front of thedrawer beneath the front stack of packages. The rearwardly extendingportions of members 21d at the rear of the drawer then support the rearstack of packages. When the drawer is then returned to closed position,the

weight of the front stack of packages on package B will cause it toremain forwardly while the drawer slides rearwardly, so that when thedrawer is completely closed, package B is at the front of the drawer,and package C has dropped into the rear portion of the drawer.

Subsequent withdrawals of the drawer for removal of packages will resultin depleting the rear stack of packages rst.

After the rear stack has been depleted, package I from the front stackwill fall into the front portion of the drawer. When the drawer is thenwithdrawn by pulling on the handle 215, the clamping members 219 willpivot and their bent portions 222 will engage the rear edge of thepackage so that it remains in the front portion of the drawer until itis removed. The next package in the front stack drops in the rear of thedrawer. When the drawer is then returned to closed position the weightof the front stack on the package in the rear of the drawer will causeit to remain forwardly while the drawer slides rearwardly. During suchmovement the portions 222 of the clamping members 219 will be forcedoutwardly. Subsequent withdrawals of the drawer will naturally result indepletion of the front stack in the manner described.

The lower portion of the cabinet may be used for storing packaged foods,and these may be removed by lifting the hinged cover 223. This portionof the cabinet may also house the refrigerating unit (not shown).

One advantage of this embodiment is that packages of different heightsmay be dispensed, as long as the height is not greater than the draweropening and all packages are of the same cross section. Generally, theembodiment possesses the advantage of simplicity of construction andreliability of operation.

It should be manifest that many changes in the structure and arrangementof the parts may be made without departing from the invention whichconsequently should not be limited to the embodiment described andillustrated except in accordance with the following claims.

We claim:

l. A dispensing device for packaged goods com-'- prising, means forsupporting two columns of packages with one column disposed directlybehind the other, a drawer having side and bottom walls and adapted tocontain two packages one directly beneath each column when the drawer,is in closed position, means for supporting said drawer for slidingmovement from its closed to an open position in which the package in thefront portion of the drawer may be removed, means for supporting therear column of pack-- ages above the upper level of the drawer bottomwhen the drawer is in open position, the front column of packages beingthen supported by the package in the rear of the drawer, whereby whenthe drawer is closed after removal of a package the weight of the frontcolumn of packages on the remaining package in the drawer will causethat package to remain beneath the front column as the drawer slides toclosed position despite the frctional engagement of the drawer andpackage so that said remaining package is disposed in the front portionof the drawer when the latter is again in closed position, and thebottommost package in the rear column drops into the rear portion of thedrawer.

2. In a dispensing device as defined in claim 1, said means forsupporting the rear column of packages above the upper level of thedrawer when the drawer is in open position, comprising a tray secured tothe rear of the drawer, said tray comprising movably connected sectionsso as to be flexible in a vertical plane and rigid in a horizontalplane, and guide and support mechanism supported by said frame structurefor slidably engaging means projecting from the side edges of said tray,said guide and support mechanism extending rearwardly of the upper levelof the drawer and then curving upwardlyr along the rear of said framestructure, whereby said tray and its guiding and supporting` mechanismare unitary with said frame structure.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenlces are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED `STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,241,188 Blakemore Sept. 25,1917 1,633,588 Klivenberg June 28, 1927 1,648,813 Kelly Nov. 8, 19271,700,299 Wolters Jan. 29, 1929 2,380,093 Wilder July 10, 1945 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 232,830 Germany 1911

